What causes pheochromocytoma?

Approximately one-third of pheochromocytoma cases occur when patients inherit a mutated gene from their parents.1 Studies have linked several genes to the disease, but researchers are not sure how these genes contribute to the formation of this tumor.2

The remaining two-thirds of cases are spontaneous and are not associated with a family history. However, genetic inheritance may play a role in the development of the disease through unknown genes. For example, in one study, a significant percentage of patients (7.5% to 27%) with sporadic pheochromocytoma had genetic mutations that have been linked to other family-inherited syndromes.3